So we were at Daiso looking out for small pebbles. The plan was to train Leaenn's eyes and hands co-ordination by having her scoop pebbles into a bottle. Found some suitable ones and paid for them.
At around 10pm, I decided to let her play this new game. Leaenn was all excited and was laughing happily as she scooped the pebbles one by one into the bottle using a spoon. At the same time, she was also happily sucking a Karihome goat milk sweet in her mouth.
As she was getting all excited over her achievement, she accidentally swallowed her sweet. She appeared shocked and uncomfortable as this is the first time she swallowed something unintentionally. In order to assure her that it's ok to swallow a sweet, I laughed at her. Seeing me laugh, she used both her hands to cover her mouth to laugh along…..
As she covered her mouth, a single pebble flew out of her hands and she gave the shocked expression again. Confused as to whether she had more than 1 pebble in her hand and if she had popped in one pebble accidentally when she covered her mouth, I asked her if she swallowed the pebble and the answer was “YES”.
Shocked and confused, I shouted for Josh who made the immediate decision to send her to KK.
After hours of observation, Leaenn’s oxygen level continued to be low and 2 ENT surgeons were called in to review on Leaenn. Another X-ray was ordered and the surgeon explained that this X-ray reviewed a shadow in one the air passages which resembled the pebble that was shown to them. However, it was not really clear and might just be the shadow cast by one of her bones.
The surgeon explained they could take no chance in this as any possible foreign object in the air passages could lead to permanent brain damage. Hence, a GA ENT operation was arranged for at 8am in the morning (20 July 2011). Time now is already 2am.
Poor Leaenn, after hours of observation, she was ultra tired and thirsty and was crying for water. No water was to be given as she was to have her operation first thing in the morning. Fortunately, after 15 mins of crying for water, she fell asleep.
Leaenn was placed under high dependency ward and the nurse explained that no matter which ward I choose, A or B2, the children are placed in the same ward with 6 children in the ward and parents are only given chairs and no bed. Needless to say, Daddy and Mummy could not sleep the whole night.
The thing I fear most happened at 6.30am. Leaenn awoke and cried for milk and water. Nothing could be given and thank God she fell asleep in my arms half an hour later and slept all the way till she was pushed into the operation theatre.
The operation was performed by a senior surgeon, Prof Henry Tan. A scope was inserted via the mouth and nothing could be found but there are signs of infection. Prof Henry Tan explained that it is likely that Leaenn swallowed the pebble but managed to cough it out as there are signs of infection.
The operation was performed by a senior surgeon, Prof Henry Tan. A scope was inserted via the mouth and nothing could be found but there are signs of infection. Prof Henry Tan explained that it is likely that Leaenn swallowed the pebble but managed to cough it out as there are signs of infection.
Leaenn awoke at 8.45am cranky and cried for almost an hour asking for the plug to be removed and asking for milk/water. No liquid could be given till 10.30am and the plug couldn’t be removed till just before discharged.
In our state of desperation, this was spotted and provided a great relief for us:
After hours of observation, Leaenn was finally given the go-ahead to discharge at 2.30pm……
Till now, Leaenn will always say:
I went to the hospital because I swallowed a sweet……………..
